Los Magos Sotol and WhistlePig Whiskey Launch New Spirit

Fifteen years ago, rye whiskey was relegated to the back of your grandfather’s liquor cabinet. Then came WhistlePig, which wiped off the dust and sped this wavering spirit back into the luxury slot with releases like the entire Boss Hog series—bottles that go for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars these days. Now, the Vermont-based spirits brand looks to be eyeing the next big thing in the Mexican spirits market, sotol, via a new collaborative release with Los Magos. Meet Los Magos Barrel-Aged Sotol WhistlePig Edition No. 1.

While American whiskey—rye, bourbon, American single malt—has risen to new heights since the turn of the millennia, it pales in comparison to the rocket ship that’s been agave spirits. Over the last decade or so, tequila and mezcal have ascended to the peak of the American spirits market. 

Last year, tequila overtook American whiskey to become the second most valuable spirit category in the U.S.—behind only vodka—while the mezcal market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 22.6 percent and reach a value of $2.1 billion by 2030.

What Is Sotol?

To be clear, sotol isn’t made from agave—despite all the talk of it following in the footsteps of tequila and mezcal. The spirit is sourced from the asparagaceae family (yes, we’re talking about that asparagus family) and hails from the Chihuahuan Desert. The plant species itself can be found in Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, and West and Central Texas. While the alcoholic beverage has a regulated domain of origin in Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Durango, it continues to be made outside of this area—including in Sonora (where it's known as palmilla), Oaxaca (dubbed cucharillo), and Texas Hill Country (Texas sotol).

Los Magos is one of the world’s top sotol producers, ethically and sustainably sourcing its plants directly from the Chihuahuan Desert, which helps make this collaborative effort with WhistlePig so special. A bright and deep spirit, the limited-edition Los Magos Sotol x WhistlePig collab is aged for over 12 months in WhistlePig rye oak barrels.

“Sotol is not a spirit that's traditionally aged, so the process of aging Los Magos’ sotol in WhistlePig’s whiskey barrels is revolutionary to the industry,” says Los Magos’ co-founder and Chihuahua native Juan Pablo Carvajal.

What Does Los Lagos x WhistlePig Sotol Taste Like?

That aging period leads to a complex flavor profile, which features herbal and floral notes alongside hints of smoke, wood, and eucalyptus that are surrounded by the spice of rye with a touch of sweetness. It's recommended to be sipped neat or on the rocks, and is perfect for those who enjoy exploring unique flavor combinations.

“Since sotol is such a flavorful and aromatic spirit in itself, the flavors aren't lost or overpowered when aged in a barrel," says Carvajal. "On the contrary, the barrel gives the sotol additional complex layers that harmonize with that of rye, creating its own sweet and floral notes.”

Because of the bold spirit profile paired with the aging conditions in the high desert, "sotol actually ages much better than its agave counterparts that can often lose a lot of the original spirit profile when laid down in a barrel," notes Los Magos’ CEO Ryan Stock. "Los Magos Barrel-Aged Sotol WhistlePig Edition No. 1 sets a new standard by uncovering the newly discovered opportunities for aging sotol.”

WhistlePig's partnership with Los Magos "enabled both brands to explore new territory within our experimental trials—ultimately creating an incredibly unique and complex sipping experience across rye and sotol,” says WhistlePig’s chief blender Meghan Ireland, who notes that less than 2 percent of spirits companies in the U.S. produce more than half of its products. "As an independent brand up against the big conglomerates, WhistlePig believes in supporting and collaborating with other indie spirits to showcase the incredible creativity and quality they have to offer," adds Ireland. "Los Magos Barrel-Aged Sotol WhistlePig Edition No. 1 was a great opportunity to fly the indie flag and share an amazing sotol along the way.”

Los Magos Barrel-Aged Sotol WhistlePig Edition No. 1 is now available at select retailers and establishments nationwide.

[$100; losmagossotol.com]